Ramkumar Ramanathan is set to lead the Indian Davis Cup squad on a grass court challenge against Pakistan, marking India's first visit to the neighboring nation in 60 years. The All India Tennis Association (AITA) announced the five-member team, including N Sriram Balaji, Yuki Bhambri, Niki Poonacha, and Saketh Myneni, for the World Group I play-off tie scheduled for February 3-4. India's last venture to Pakistan dates back to 1964, with the upcoming tie sparking anticipation as the AITA awaits the International Tennis Federation (ITF) tribunal's decision on its appeal regarding securit
World No. 2 Carlos Alcaraz, the 18-year-old Spaniard, secured the Stefan Edberg Sportsmanship Award 2023 on Friday, December 15. Alcaraz's outstanding display of fair play and integrity on the court earned him the prestigious ATP award, a recognition bestowed upon players who exhibit exceptional sportsmanship throughout the year. Alcaraz's journey to the coveted award saw him defeating formidable opponents, including Jannik Sinner, Hubert Hurkacz, and Grigor Dimitrov. This achievement makes him the fourth Spaniard to claim the honor, joining the ranks of Jose Higueras, Alex Corretja, and R
Star Pacer Mohammed Shami has been nominated for this year's Arjuna Award after his spectacular run in the ODI World Cup 2023. Shami was the leading wicket-taker in the World Cup, with 24 wickets in seven outings where India finished second best, losing to Australia in the final. In overall World Cups, Shami has now claimed 45 World Cup wickets in 14 innings - the most by an Indian bowler, surpassing seamers Javagal Srinath and Zaheer Khan on 44. As per the ministry's sources, a special request was made by the BCCI to the sports ministry to include Shami's name as originally he didn't f
Suryakumar Yadav has etched his name in the record books as the fastest Indian to reach 2000 runs in T20 Internationals (T20Is). The dynamic batsman achieved this milestone during the ongoing South Africa tour, playing his 56th T20I innings. Fresh off India's triumphant T20I series against Australia, Suryakumar's scintillating form continues to make headlines. The Mumbai batter's achievement puts him on par with Virat Kohli in terms of innings but with a notable distinction—he reached the milestone in one fewer match, marking his 59th T20I appearance for India. Suryakumar Yadav asc
Vaishali Rameshbabu became only the third female grandmaster from India, following in the footsteps of Koneru Humpy and Harika Dronavalli. This accomplishment was realized after Vaishali surpassed the 2500 FIDE rating threshold at the IV El Llobregat Open in Spain, where she secured the grandmaster title by defeating Turkish FM Tamer Tarik Selbes in the second round. “I am very happy to finally completed the title. It’s just two rounds. I am also focusing on the tournament. But I am really happy with the GM title,” told Chess.com. With this achievement, Vaishali and her younger br
Dhiraj Bommadevara bagged a silver at the Asian Continental Qualification Tournament to clinch India's first Paris Olympics quota in archery. As Dhiraj stood for his quarter-final and semi-final of the Asian Continental Qualifier Tournament (CQT) with the weight of a 2024 Paris Olympics quota riding along, the 22-year-old was determined to win. Dhiraj first ousted Sadegh Ashrafi Bavili of Iran 6-0 (28-27, 28-25, 28-27) in the quarterfinal, then in the semi-final he knocked out another Iranian Mohammadhossein Golshani 6-0 (30-27, 29-25, 29-27). In a nail-biting encounter that went down to a
The BCCI engaged in discussions with Dravid after the term of his contract ended following the World Cup 2023 and unanimously agreed to further the tenure. The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI), on Wednesday, announced the extension of contracts for Head Coach Rahul Dravid, and the support staff for Team India. While they did not specify the duration of the extension, it will reportedly be at least until the 2024 T20 World Cup in June. Dravid was appointed India's head coach after the T20 World Cup 2021. While India rose to the top of the Test, ODI and T20I rankings under Dra
A homemaker and powerlifter by profession, Reeni Tharakan won three gold at the World Masters Powerlifting Championships held in Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia, last week. Tharakan participated in the M3 category of the championship, meant for participants over 61-70 years old. She was competing with around 145 weightlifters from about 44 countries. Initiating her fitness journey in 2013, Tharakan, from Thycattussery, Cherthala, began powerlifting just four years ago. Encouraged by her trainers, Jagan and Jerry, she embraced the sport wholeheartedly, transforming her life. Despite facing critici
Union Sports Minister Anurag Thakur said more than 1,350 participants from across 32 states and Union Territories will take part in seven disciplines at the first-ever Khelo India Para Games to be held in Delhi from December 10 to 17. In a post on social media platform X (formerly Twitter), the minister called the Games to be a “game-changer” in the quest to improve the status quo of para sports in India, and in identifying and aiding talented athletes with disability. In October, India para athletes returned from the Hangzhou Asian Para Games 2023 with a rich haul of medals. The In
Neeraj Chopra, who won the World Championships and Asian Games Gold medals, has made it to the five-man shortlist for the World Athlete of the Year award in 2023. Neeraj Chopra is battling for the year-end honour along with 100m and 200m world champion Noah Lyles, pole vault star Mondo Duplantis, shot putter Ryan Crouser and Kenyan marathon star Kelvin Kiptum. These sportspersons have been shortlisted from the 11 athletes chosen for the award by the governing body of track and field events in the world. The Tokyo Olympic gold medalist also finished second in the Diamond League final after